Video & Transcript : 'small business' :
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NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Commerce and Economic Development Jan 26th, 2026 at 01:36 pm
House Commerce & Economic Development Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I own a small business in Artesia.
- We're just here to try to make it work for business in New Mexico. Artesia.
- We're just here to try to make it work for business in New Mexico. Thank you, Madam Chair.
- Representative Joshua Hernandez, District 60 in Rio Rancho, a small business owner for a while, grew
- But I have also owned several businesses in the state over the past couple of decades.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Apr 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This threshold shuts out small businesses.
- Businesses.
- These are entry points for small business enterprises and disabled veteran business enterprises.
- So there's a lot of effects to my businesses, which are obvious.
- So obviously, my business was impacted.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills related to public safety, emergency response, wildfire prevention, and environmental protection. AB 2152 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez would streamline CEQA litigation for new fire station projects and add best-practice requirements; supporters, including firefighters, said it would help communities and firefighter safety, while opponents argued the project labor agreement requirements would raise costs and limit participation for small and nonunion contractors. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2041 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand reporting related to 911 dispatcher pre-arrival medical instructions; after amendments and stakeholder agreement, opposition groups said they would remove their opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2101 by Assembly Member Gipson would require human trafficking notices and training at disaster sites and for disaster response workers; supporters said it would protect vulnerable workers, while broadband, city, and county representatives raised implementation concerns, especially in rural disaster areas. It passed to Appropriations despite a no vote from Vice Chair Hadwick.
The committee also considered AB 1805, which would require an audit and stronger oversight of the state’s Next Generation 911 project after concerns about major spending and delays. CalNENA supported the bill’s transparency and accountability provisions, and the measure passed to Appropriations. AB 1536 by Assembly Member Addis would tighten safety and public review requirements for offshore oil pipeline restarts and require decommissioning of certain spill-prone pipelines; environmental and coastal government groups supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association warned it would threaten fuel supply and pipeline operations. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1964 would direct the State Fire Marshal to survey home hardening in fire-prone areas and estimate costs; it passed to Appropriations with broad support.
AB 1960, also by Assembly Member Bennett, would use a portion of wildfire prevention grants to encourage community-level home hardening certification. The author said the bill would create incentives and broader public awareness, while the vice chair argued it would favor communities that can already afford hardening and divert resources from higher-need areas; the bill still passed to Appropriations. AB 1863 by Assembly Member DeMaio would clarify that people cannot be charged simply for calling 911 or when no services are rendered, while preserving fees for actual services and allowing billing for legitimate emergency response costs; it passed to the Assembly floor. The committee also took up consent item AB 2517, which passed to Appropriations. After add-on votes for absent members, the meeting adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Floor debate on automatically returning future budget surpluses to taxpayers 3/17/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- local businesses.
- local businesses.
- local businesses.
- local businesses.
- Vote for a big tax cut for the Mall of America and not a penny for our small local businesses.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- A quorum is present, and the Senate is ready for business.
- Why not small businesses?
- businesses.
- And private businesses should not be enforcement agencies.
- Without objection, the Senate will advance to the 15th order of business, miscellaneous business.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Auditing Committee Dec 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We’re here promoting businesses. We’re here promoting businesses. And the last question, Mr.
- , this is our business.
- So, you know, when local governments are not doing their business properly, then it's our business to
- So, you know, when local governments are not doing their business properly, then it's our business to
- We are adjourned. business properly, then it's our business to hold them accountable.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to consider several audit requests and enforcement items involving local governments and special districts. The committee approved operational audits of the City of Miami Beach, the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority, and the City of Daytona Beach. In each case, the requesting member described concerns about transparency, financial management, or internal controls, while local officials or representatives generally said they were willing to cooperate and, in Delray Beach’s case, noted that an internal audit had already been completed and that some issues were being corrected.
The committee also received a presentation on the statewide review of neighborhood improvement districts. The reviewers reported that 15 of 21 districts were active and six inactive, with common findings including outdated or missing performance plans, weak web presence, inadequate meeting notices, and limited management mechanisms. They said staffing levels often correlated with the ability to meet statutory requirements, and they recommended updates to district governance and transparency practices.
On enforcement, staff reviewed local governments and special districts that had failed to file required financial reports or had submitted audit reports missing required information. The committee approved staff recommendations to proceed under the statutory enforcement process for the noncompliant entities, with flexibility for the chair and vice chair to delay action if additional information is provided in good faith. The committee also voted to send a letter to the Union County Legislative Delegation encouraging a local bill to dissolve the Town of Rayford, based on staff’s view that the town lacked employees, services, debt, and a clear reason to continue existing as an incorporated municipality.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We do offer them a small tax credit to reimburse them for any expenses for that farm business management
- </c> already completed a farm business already completed a farm business management<00:04:55.360><c>
- for that farm business any expenses for that farm business management<00:05:04.240><c> class</c><00:
- , business, business, >> right?
- Busy. Are there... Thank you very much, Mr. Busy. Are there questions or comments for him?
Committee:
Senate Taxes
Keywords:
January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, Blaine, local sales tax, special tax, restaurant tax, lodging tax, admissions tax, amusement tax, hotel tax, redevelopment, capital improvements, municipal finance, bonding authority, tourism tax
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- or pay my assistant a living wage. our regulation my business or pay my assistant a living wage.
- This bill will have a direct impact on my child care business right now. My license allows for 14.
- I support the bill, and the name of my business is Le Petit Papillon. Thank you.
- That's how small this rural community is.
- Current state policy, which allows these facilities in small rural counties...
Committee:
Senate Human Services
Summary:
The committee adopted the consent calendar and then heard several bills on child care, aging, child welfare, food access, and youth services. SB 1200 by Sen. Menjivar would redefine infant and toddler age categories in child care licensing to allow providers to serve children beginning at 18 months in the toddler category, with supporters saying it would increase capacity and help family child care businesses stay open; it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 971 by Sen. Choi would authorize counties to offer optional adult education and technology training programs for adults 55 and older through local partnerships; supporters said it would reduce isolation and improve digital literacy, and it passed 4-0 to the floor. SB 1234 by Sen. Alvarado-Gil would require fentanyl to be included in court-ordered drug testing in dependency cases, with testimony from an angel family and law enforcement about child deaths and exposure risks; it passed 4-0 to the floor.
The committee also heard SB 1109 by Sen. Alvarado-Gil, which would require additional state review for short-term residential therapeutic programs in very small rural counties or facilities with repeated serious citations. The author and county officials from Alpine County argued that rural counties lack the hospitals, schools, and 24-hour emergency response needed to safely support these placements, while providers opposed the bill as overly broad and potentially destabilizing to STRTP capacity. After the author accepted committee amendments, members voted 4-0 to send the bill to Appropriations as amended. SB 961 by Sen. Ashby would require students applying for financial aid to be notified that they may also be eligible for CalFresh; student and advocacy witnesses described widespread food insecurity on campuses, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations.
The committee then heard SB 1099 by Sen. Gomez Reyes, which clarifies local governments’ authority to provide state or local public benefits to all residents under PRWORA-related exemptions; supporters said it would reduce legal uncertainty for local safety-net services, and the bill was voted 2-0 with the remaining members absent, leaving it on call. SB 1190 by Sen. Grove would create a licensing and regulatory framework for youth transport companies that move minors to out-of-state residential facilities; survivors testified about traumatic transports, supporters called for basic guardrails, and the bill passed 4-0 to Public Safety. Finally, SB 1325 by Sen. Jones would create a narrow pathway for Feeding San Diego to participate in CalFood, with supporters saying it would expand hunger relief in San Diego County and opponents warning it could divert limited food bank resources; the discussion focused on broader funding concerns, and no final vote was recorded in the excerpt.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:09:11.480><c> interest</c><00:09:12.120><c> expense</c> the business interest expense the business
- </c><00:09:31.480><c> interest</c> delayed business interest delayed business interest subtraction<00
- </c><00:10:09.000><c> interest</c> relates to the delayed business interest relates to the delayed business
- So whatever we can do to create that paperwork nightmare that can challenge small business people that'd
- c> rather</c><01:19:04.040><c> be</c> small business people that'd rather be small business people that'd
Committee:
House Taxes
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti / Sen. Adrian Cortes Media Availability Dec 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- business owners that are going to be taking the reins in our state.
- So I'm a small business owner.
- This is even financially savvy adults, so, you know, business owners, I work with lawyers, physicians
- A lot of them actually want to own or build small businesses.
- I’m also the grandmother of small children, some of whom are in the public schools, and some of whom
Summary:
Treasurer and legislative supporters held a press event to announce pre-filing of legislation that would require financial education for Washington students as a graduation requirement. Treasurer said the goal is to give young people a foundational understanding of personal finance so they are not dependent on their parents’ money knowledge and can better navigate loans, credit, interest, taxes, housing, and other financial decisions. Senator Adrian Cortes said he is leading the effort in the Senate and described the bill as important for preparing students for adult life and supporting working families and future small business owners.
Testimony from an educator, a financial education nonprofit leader, and a credit union representative all backed the proposal. Vanessa Medina, a Vancouver public school teacher, said students need practical skills for student loans, car loans, leases, and job benefits. Christy Johnson said the financial system is increasingly complex and that financial literacy is a life skill and social justice issue, especially given the wealth gap and the pressures facing young people. Tracy Godat said her organization already has free materials and professional development ready for educators, and Joe Atomack said credit unions see the need every day and can help expand access through school branches and student work experience.
In response to questions, Cortes said the new bill differs from a previous House-passed version mainly by reducing reporting requirements and therefore lowering fiscal impact for districts and OSPI. He said the bill would align with the State Board of Education’s Future Ready process and could take effect by 2033 or earlier, depending on integration. The treasurer said the issue has broad bipartisan support and argued that Washington is behind other states in not already requiring financial education.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 2/23/26
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c><00:03:55.280><c> homes</c> serves over 5,000 uh businesses, homes serves over 5,000 uh businesses
- small a small entity specifically adding small a small entity to<00:15:22.560><c> it</c><00:15:23.279
- Um, you know, I custom is that that was business days.
- Um, you know, I custom is that that was business days.
- Um, and that and in a small county.
Keywords:
correctional fees, supervision fees, probation, Department of Corrections, criminal justice funding, electronic home monitoring, drug testing, restitution collection, community service work, postprison supervision, court-ordered services, fee sunset, fee phaseout, offender fees, community corrections, supervised individuals
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- -based community development corporation that serves 2,000 small businesses and entrepreneurs annually
- At ICON CDC, we continue to see small businesses, home-based entrepreneurs, and local residents suffering
- Small businesses and lower- and moderate-income residents should not be burdened by the cost of a past-its-time
- Clay Newman, retired business, welding business owner, deeply opposed.
- And it's not a small cost shift; it's a really big one.
Committee:
House Utilities and Energy
Summary:
The committee heard several energy and utilities bills focused on wildfire resilience, affordability, electrification, and clean energy development. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that beneficially use forest biomass waste from wildfire mitigation and forest restoration; supporters said it would reduce open burning and emissions while providing firm renewable power, and the bill passed 13-0. AB 39, by Assembly Member Zbur, would require larger cities and counties to adopt local electrification planning for EV charging and building decarbonization, with emphasis on disadvantaged communities; it passed 9-0. AB 1167, by Assembly Member Berman, would bar investor-owned utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying, promotional advertising, and similar shareholder-benefit activities, and would add transparency and penalties; utilities opposed parts of the bill as overly broad, but the measure passed 7-0 with members noting continued work on the language.
The committee also advanced AB 1417 on offshore wind community benefits and transparency. The bill, presented by Assembly Member Stephanie Nguyen, would require reporting of developer funding to local and tribal communities for capacity-building and expand the voluntary offshore wind and coastal resources protection program to allow such grants. After amendments, industry groups that had opposed the bill moved to neutral, and the measure passed 9-0. AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, would require backup power, tank topping, and facility hardening for water districts in high fire-risk areas in Ventura County; water agencies opposed unless amended due to cost and liability concerns, but the bill passed 10-0.
Later, AB 745, by Assembly Member Irwin, would allow investor-owned utilities to finance undergrounding through securitization and disallow a return on equity for undergrounding projects. Supporters argued it would lower ratepayer costs; utilities argued it would effectively discourage undergrounding and could raise other costs. The bill passed 7-4. AB 1423, also by Assembly Member Irwin, would apply reliability standards to state-funded EV chargers installed before 2024; supporters said taxpayers should not fund unreliable infrastructure, while charging-network groups raised retroactivity and legal concerns, including issues with the Electrify America consent decree. The bill passed 13-0. Finally, AB 388, by Assembly Member Rogers, began discussion of a narrow change to the electrical corporation definition and the “over-the-fence” rule to facilitate green hydrogen projects; supporters emphasized decarbonization and job creation, while Southern California Edison raised concerns about regulatory oversight and customer protections. The transcript cuts off before a vote on AB 388.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The Chair lays out House Bill 932 as pending business.
- The Chair lays out House Bill 1699 as pending business.
- The Chair lays out House Bill 1803 as pending business.
- House Bill 3717 is pending business.
- Out of sets will continue to remain small in number.
Bills:
HB35 , HB4490 , HB4454 , HB2188 , HB3078 , HB4743 , HB2556 , HB46 , HB5342 , HB4783 , HB3785 , HB5278 , HB1639 , HB2581 , HB4224 , HB4070 , HB4099 , HB4882 , HB3794 , HB46
Committee:
House Public Health
Keywords:
peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, disclosure, next of kin, public information, deceased persons, privacy rights, patient solicitation, marketing practices, healthcare regulation, task force, deceptive advertising, nurse aide, certification, Texas Board of Nursing, healthcare workforce, nursing standards
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 41 Apr 15th, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Motion is placing new business before the House.
- And today she lives back in Enid, runs a successful small business. So hello, Chloe.
- And today she lives back in Enid, runs a successful small business. So hello, Chloe.
- Second, Enid runs a successful small business. So, hello, Chloe. Welcome back to the Capitol.
- Representative, a lot of small pharmacies are going out of business, and others would like the opportunity
Bills:
HR1051 , HR1048 , SB2074 , SJR39 , SJR47 , SB1983 , SB444 , SB1503 , SB1561 , SB592 , SB1501 , SB1946 , SB1567 , SB1833 , SB2026 , SB904 , SB2178 , SB1651 , SB1558 , SB1565 , SB1553 , SB1257 , SB65 , SB1749 , SB1242 , SB1642 , SB640 , SB667 , SB1436 , SB1484 , SB1562 , SB1794 , SB1644 , SB1533 , SB933 , SB1555
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of special presentations and introductions celebrating Oklahoma State University, the Cowgirl Wrestling Club, the OSU livestock judging team, military children, poster contest winners, and several visiting groups and honorees. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Kurt Emerson, and the Nurse of the Day, Beverly Felton. Much of the floor time was devoted to OSU Day remarks, including a citation honoring the university and comments from Speaker Hilbert, Coach Eric Morris, and President Jim Hess.
The House then took up Senate Bill 2074, a pharmacy benefit manager measure intended to regulate PBMs and support pharmacists. An amendment by Representative Jenkins to remove a section of the bill was tabled, and members questioned the bill extensively about reimbursement rates, consumer costs, employer options, transparency, and the impact on independent pharmacies. After debate, the bill advanced and passed the House by a vote of 87-7.
Members also considered Senate Joint Resolution 39, which would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to cap property tax growth. The measure, as amended, would set a 1.75% annual cap on homestead property tax growth and a 4% cap on other properties, with a stair-step senior freeze. The resolution drew debate over effects on local government revenue, schools, roads, jails, and inflation, but supporters argued it would provide strong taxpayer protections. The House passed the resolution 85-9 and then took the additional vote required to refer the constitutional amendment to a special election.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee Apr 8th, 2026
Revenue and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- Not to start a business or not to go to school, to high school, or to college.
- We connect small ports, inland ports, and small businesses and manufacturers to the National Freight
- We connect all of the small towns and cities to the national network.
- They serve farmers, ports, and countless other businesses.
- Entity tax, which allows individuals with business income to pay that income through their business corporation
Committee:
Senate Revenue and Taxation
Summary:
The committee heard several tax and revenue-related bills. SB 1277, by Senator Grove, proposed a California Cost of Living Tax Credit modeled on the 2022 middle-class tax refund to provide direct relief to low- and middle-income Californians facing high housing, fuel, and utility costs. Supporters argued it would help families struggling with affordability, while opponents, including the California Tax Reform Association and CTA members, said California’s tax system already provides relief and that the bill would reduce General Fund revenue and harm schools. After extended debate, the bill was put on call and later failed on a 1-4 vote, though reconsideration was granted. SB 1287, by Senator Retado, would create a performance-based tax credit for short-line rail investments; supporters said it would improve freight efficiency, safety, emissions, and rural access, while opponents preferred direct grants. The bill was placed on call and later passed 5-0 to Transportation. SB 1407, by Senator Archuleta, would exempt military retirement pay and survivor benefits from state taxes; the author, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and veterans’ groups said it would help retain veterans and their economic contributions in California, while CTA and CTRA opposed on General Fund grounds. The bill passed 5-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. SB 1349, by Senator Gonzalez, would direct the LAO to review major tax expenditures for effectiveness and impacts on schools and the budget; CTA and CTRA supported it as a way to increase accountability, and it passed 4-1 to Governmental Organization. SB 1120, by Senator McNerney, would extend the California Competes Tax Credit through 2035 and make credits refundable for certain strategic industries; business and industry witnesses said this would help startups and manufacturers monetize credits and attract investment, and it passed 5-0 to Appropriations. SB 1275, also by Senator McNerney, proposed converting the state sales tax on vehicle purchases into a deductible vehicle license fee to reduce Californians’ federal tax burden; the LAO provided technical testimony, and the bill passed 4-0 to Transportation. The committee also heard SB 1078, by Senator Laird, to let Santa Cruz County voters consider a temporary local tax increase for health and safety-net services, but it was put on call. Later, the committee returned to SB 1314, by Senator Min, addressing youth tobacco and illicit smoke shop sales, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- . $9.2 billion in 20 years is big business for Missouri.
- It's first in the nation. $9.2 billion in 20 years is big business for Missouri.
- But even in small towns, I was just talking with a gentleman today outside of Crystal City.
- And for me, growing up in that small town was very special.
- The fallout from H.B. 262 being invalidated broadly has impacted our business.
Committee:
House Commerce
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 187 by me is pending business.
- Mary Gonzalez is pending business.
- I represent HCR 55 as pending business.
- HCR 58 by Representative Isaac is pending business.
- The chair lays out HCR 107 by me as pending business.
Bills:
HB2385 , HB3349 , HB3962 , HB3883 , HB4396 , HB4811 , HB5088 , HB4588 , HB4867 , HB4895 , HB5398 , HB5616
Committee:
House Culture, Recreation & Tourism
Keywords:
NRA, funding, major events reimbursement, annual meetings, exhibits, events trust fund, Pan American Games, Olympic Games, motor sports racing, local control, event support contract, INDYCAR, Arlington, tourism, funding eligibility, sporting events, economic impact, local governments, American Performance Horseman, American Rodeo
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Feb 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Our small communities throughout Washington always bear these consequences.
- I mean, for small farmers, sometimes are classified as 10 acres or less.
- I mean, for small farmers, sometimes are classified as 10 acres or less.
- We worked with those folks, large and small. We serve about 26 counties across the region.
- So we rely on the small farms. ...that's roughly 17 or 18 semi-loads a week.
Summary:
The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held public hearings on several House bills. ESHB 2238 would require the Department of Agriculture to develop a statewide food security strategy, monitor food system performance, and report on agricultural regulatory costs and competitiveness; the sponsor and many stakeholders from agriculture, food banks, school nutrition, counties, and advocacy groups supported it as a coordinated response to food insecurity and farm viability, while one requested amendment was addressed on the House floor. HB 2199 would expand the derelict vessel removal program by changing the definition of derelict vessel to allow earlier intervention when vessels are unregistered for two annual periods; ports, local officials, and environmental advocates testified in support, and the bill had no fiscal impact noted. HB 2104 would remove the sunset from the Aviation Assurance Funding Program for wildland fire response, with support from fire chiefs and the sponsor emphasizing its value for rapid initial attack and cost savings. HB 2554 would repeal statutes from Initiative 456 that conflict with treaty fishing rights; the Attorney General’s Office, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the sponsor supported repeal as necessary to remove unenforceable anti-tribal language, while testimony comments showed substantial opposition. HB 2619 would create a legislative task force to review regulatory stress in agriculture and recommend changes; the sponsor linked it to farmer mental health and suicide prevention, and there was no public testimony. HB 2343 would require public game farms operated by Fish and Wildlife to obtain water discharge permits and meet manure/runoff controls; staff noted it would apply to the known public facility and carry modest compliance costs, with no public testimony. The committee also unanimously waived the five-day notice rule for HB 2104, 2554, 2619, and 2343, and closed the hearings without taking final votes, planning to consider all six bills in executive session at a later meeting.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: Senator Nathan Johnson Jul 30th, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Legislation to move possession of small amounts of marijuana from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class C
- Small business owners, our veterans, and the people who demonstrate the richest and most beautiful qualities
- business as Senator Johnson will put out thoughtful regulation.
- I know that you're asking about redistricting, but the thing is that these small... these not so.
- THC is not such a small issue.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 04/08/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- marine businesses.
- </c><00:49:02.800><c> Uh</c> medium-siz marine businesses. Uh medium-siz marine businesses.
- These are not just a small generator. These are not just a small generator.
- </c> These are not just a small generator. These are not just a small generator.
- </c> small controversial than we I expected. small controversial than we I expected.
Committee:
Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- business owners, and young families can actually afford.
- Los Angeles, through the measures of ULA... workers, small business owners, and young families can actually
- This is not the small mom-and-pop operations that buy them and flip them and actually make them more
- A small property should refer to a residential property located within the Commonwealth consisting of
- By decreasing and imposed tax on large investor taxpayers who own a certain number of small property
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Revenue
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hearing on several housing-related bills, with chairs Adrienne Madaro and James Eldridge framing the discussion as part of the Legislature’s broader response to the state’s housing crisis and noting that many of the bills build on the 2024 Affordable Homes Act. The chairs reviewed hearing procedures, including the three-minute oral testimony limit, the option to submit written testimony, and the hybrid format. No votes were taken during the hearing.
Testimony began with support for H. 3278, a bill to create a graduated deed excise tax for affordable housing. Representative Worel argued that higher-end real estate transactions should contribute more to fund affordable housing production, saying the measure would not burden working families and would help address racial inequities in homeownership and displacement. Representative Soder then supported H. 3247, which would promote redevelopment of abandoned buildings through expanded tax incentives for renovating vacant properties for sale or rent, arguing that it would bring blighted units back into use and generate future tax revenue.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 3040/S. 1969, residential improvement or R-PACE legislation. Robert Giles of Home Run Financing and Nicole Steele of Amalgamated Bank described the program as a voluntary, assessment-based financing tool that could help homeowners pay for energy efficiency, resilience, and other major repairs without upfront costs, and said it could complement existing Mass Save programs while expanding access to more homeowners. In contrast, Judith Lieben of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute opposed H. 3039/S. 1946, the Housing Development Incentive Program bill, arguing it would expand subsidies for market-rate and luxury housing in Gateway Cities instead of directing resources to low-income renters. Representative Hawkins also testified in support of H. 3121, which would end large investor control of homes in Massachusetts by imposing an excise tax on large owners of small residential properties and using the revenue for first-time homebuyer down payment assistance. After testimony and a few member questions, the chairs asked whether anyone else wished to testify and then adjourned the hearing.